Birds trade RBs with Browns; Peters needs surgery
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Birds trade RBs with Browns; Peters needs surgery
Daily News staff and Les Bowen
Center Mike McGlynn said that as he was getting ready to leave the locker room for practice today, running back Mike Bell walked back in.
"He said, 'I've just been traded,' " McGlynn said.
Bell, who looked terminally slow in limited action (16 carries, 28 yards), went to the Browns and former Eagles GM Tom Heckert, for running back Jerome Harrison.
Current Eagles GM Howie Roseman said "a change of scenery might be good for both players."
Roseman said Bell is a between-the-tackles runner who needs lots of carries to be effective, something that wasn't going to happen playing behind Shady McCoy. Though he didn't play in a West Coast offense in Cleveland, Harrison (5-9, 205), is more of a West Coast-type back, quick and effective as a receiver. He has played in 51 career games for the Browns, with 1,401 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 302 carries (4.6 average). He also had 61 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
Last year, Harrison, 27, led the team with 194 carries for 862 yards and five touchdowns, and tied for the team lead with 34 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Over the final three games of the season, he amassed a league-high 561 rushing yards and five touchdowns, including a 286-yard effort on Dec. 20 at Kansas City, which ranks as the third-highest single-game rushing total in NFL history, trailing only Adrian Peterson (296 yards on Nov. 7, 2007 vs. San Diego) and Jamal Lewis (Sept. 4, 2003 vs. Cleveland).
Bell was signed as restricted free agent from the Super Bowl champion Saints in the offseason, the only restricted free agent to move to a new team in the league. He was hampered by injuries in training camp.
Before practice today, he was asked about being a client of agent Josh Luchs, whose confessional in the current issue of Sports Illustrated is causing quite a stir. In it, Luchs acknowledges giving money to college players earlier in his agenting career. Bell said he never got money from Luchs. He also said he doesn't know anything about Luchs' apparent plans to leave the business.
"I haven't talked to him," Bell said.
That might have changed minutes later, when Bell was traded.
***
Kevin Kolb will take all the reps at practice today, as Michael Vick continues to recover from his rib cartilage injury, coach Andy Reid said.
The swelling has gone down, but Vick still is in pain, Reid said, noting that Vick is making progress. He has added weight lifting to his rehab routine, but he is not throwing yet. Reid didn't say so, but this would seem to mean Vick won't play this week, which isn't a shock.
Left tackle Jason Peters will have surgery tomorrow for a meniscus tear in his left knee and will be out this week. Reid termed the surgery "a cleanout." Reid said he did not have a long-term prognosis for Peters (but a decent guess would be this week and next week, with the bye after that, then he returns). King Dunlap will start in his place.
Reid said all thing considered, Dunlap didn't fare so poorly on film review, after replacing Peters early in Sunday night's game. He will be going up against a formidable pass rusher in Atlanta's John Abraham..
Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley is not going to need surgery on his left elbow sprain and is day-to-day. He has strength in his arm -- a crucial component of the decision to try to brace the joint and continue to play -- but also has swelling, Reid said, saying it "would be a stretch" for him to play Sunday.
Reid said Monday that Bunkley likely would need season-ending surgery, but he was reviewed by Dr. James Andrews and team physician Dr. Peter DeLuca and the diagnosis was amended.
Jeff Owens might be brought up from the practice squad, but Reid said that will depend on how Bunkley's recovery goes. Owens will continue to practice with the team, but no move has been made.
Cornerback Asante Samuel and wide receiver Riley Cooper, who both missed Sunday's game with concussions, will be back at practice today.
***
Tight end Brent Celek, who hauled in only three of the nine passes thrown to him Sunday night against an aggressive San Francisco defense, said: "They're tough catches, but they're catches I've made in the past, and I should be making them now. There's no excuse for me not to make them."
Pressed on why he hasn't been as surehanded as usual this season, Celek said: "I've got a bruised wrist, but that doesn't stop me from catching the ball."
You're all delusional about Peters. He has his issues but does the job.— HandNik
Can we trade Reid for Holmgren?- Jerome Harrison for Mike Bell ?? Outstanding move. Harrison is a great fit for this offense. When and if they decide to run more...— MJPD345
- King Dunlap = Human Turnstile— SkipinWV
Just as long as we don't trade Joique Bell. I need him around to make me happy with his name.- KAFKA!!!!!— COYS
- Great. We can't get a 3rd-and-1 on the ground so let's trade for another scat back who doesn't help us with that problem. Historically, running the football gives you the best chance of winning Super Bowls so why would the Eagles worry about short yardage running?— BoricuaPhilsFan
- Arkansas Razorback Piglets----Stacy, Shawn and Jason.— Romus
- Good trade but it doesnt matter cause fat man not going to run the ball....he just going to waste harrison talent— teebone40
- Peters....BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Makes Shawn Andrews look like a hard worker— dragoon6
- I assumed Harrison was a big back from that huge game he had last yr, I thought he was running people over. Guess not 5-9 205— peteike
"Roseman said Bell is a between-the-tackles runner who needs lots of carries to be effective, something that wasn't going to happen playing behind Shady McCoy". Soooo, didn't they know that before they signed him?
— tpizza- Any thoughts about Merriman being released from the Chargers?— biggie99
- In the SI agent article, Josh Luchs says he was still representing two "loyal" clients. Is Mike Bell one of them? If it he is, isn't that convenient that the Eagles are moving that potential controversy just as it's starting up?— mifunk
Badly named tire (King Dunlap) will cause a blowout on left side...Kolb should get fitted for the flak jacket now! Reid better have the FB in on passing downs to block on the backside or else Kolb will land on his!
